http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7951949.stm
A lot of people like to poke fun at the French for constantly protesting. We tend to think it is entirely because they are lazy bitches, incapable of working hard. Hell there have been some posts about this laziness before. I also have a friend who did EAP in Switzerland two years back and he told me that one of the professors emphasized that they must turn in HW no matter what or they will not pass; he later asked, "why did you make such a point about that? Isn't it obvious that you need to do HW?" and the professor told him jokingly, "A lot of the French Kids tend to think that simply showing up to every class entitles them an A". I can't claim to know the truth, although I think the truth is that some French work hard, and some are lazy bitches. Much like any other country.
However, when it comes to politics, they are willing to take a LOT more action against their government than we are. I see ourselves as more lazy within this regard - we will bitch, yet when it comes to go out, protest, and actually come through with actions a lot of us entirely fall short.
At least when they bitch, even if you don't agree with why they are bitching, they follow through with it. IMO that is one of the most important methods to ensure that the government is paying attention to the social welfare of the people --> make the govt hurt by by striking and crippling services (This tactic doesn't work in very many 3rd world countries however...because the governments do not fully rely on the people). Isn't that what democracy is supposed to be? Isn't that what vigilance is about?
I can't say I agree or disagree (French politics isn't my focus) but coming out in force against their government until they are satisfied is definitely one quality I wish we had. Repub, Demo or 3rd party...I think we just like to talk than actually take action
A lot of people like to poke fun at the French for constantly protesting. We tend to think it is entirely because they are lazy bitches, incapable of working hard. Hell there have been some posts about this laziness before. I also have a friend who did EAP in Switzerland two years back and he told me that one of the professors emphasized that they must turn in HW no matter what or they will not pass; he later asked, "why did you make such a point about that? Isn't it obvious that you need to do HW?" and the professor told him jokingly, "A lot of the French Kids tend to think that simply showing up to every class entitles them an A". I can't claim to know the truth, although I think the truth is that some French work hard, and some are lazy bitches. Much like any other country.
However, when it comes to politics, they are willing to take a LOT more action against their government than we are. I see ourselves as more lazy within this regard - we will bitch, yet when it comes to go out, protest, and actually come through with actions a lot of us entirely fall short.
At least when they bitch, even if you don't agree with why they are bitching, they follow through with it. IMO that is one of the most important methods to ensure that the government is paying attention to the social welfare of the people --> make the govt hurt by by striking and crippling services (This tactic doesn't work in very many 3rd world countries however...because the governments do not fully rely on the people). Isn't that what democracy is supposed to be? Isn't that what vigilance is about?
I can't say I agree or disagree (French politics isn't my focus) but coming out in force against their government until they are satisfied is definitely one quality I wish we had. Repub, Demo or 3rd party...I think we just like to talk than actually take action
New nationwide strike hits France
Protesters rally in Marseilles, France (19 March 2009)
Rallies are taking place in towns and cities throughout France
Hundreds of thousands of French workers have begun protests across the country during a nationwide strike.
Schools are closed and public transport is being disrupted, with demonstrations organised in about 200 towns.
Unions are opposing President Nicolas Sarkozy's economic policies. Unemployment has reached two million and is expected to rise further.
Organisers predict the protest will be bigger than one in January, when more than a million people took part.
Union members marched towards Nation in Paris behind a banner that read: "United against the crisis, defend employment, spending power and public services."
Police said there were about 85,000 people at the rally, according to the AFP news agency.
"They have a profound sense of social injustice, and that, I think, is something that neither the government nor the employers have understood," said Jean-Claude Mailly, head of the large Force Ouvriere union.
Marches are also being held in Marseille, Lyon, Grenoble and many other towns and cities.
It is the second time in two months that major demonstrations have been held, following a similar display in January.
Beleaguered industries
The strikes began on Wednesday evening with staff on transport networks.
The national rail operator, SNCF, cancelled 40% of high-speed trains and half of regional services.
A third of flights out of Paris's Orly airport have been cancelled, while a tenth of France's electricity output has been shut down with workers on strike.
However, buses and the Metro rail system in Paris were running normally, thanks to a new law enforcing a minimum transport service during strikes,.
But with many schools and public buildings shut for the day, the number of workers travelling into the capital was reduced.
Private-sector firms were also expecting a depleted workforce, with staff from the beleaguered car industry, oil and retail sectors taking part in the strike.
Rising unemployment
The unions say the 26bn euro ($35bn; £24.5bn) stimulus package for France's struggling economy, unveiled by President Nicolas Sarkozy in December, does not go far enough.
An employee assists commuters at Gare Saint-Lazare train in Paris (19 March 2009)
French commuters face a limited rail service because of the strike
A further 2.4bn euros ($3.2bn; £2.3bn) of measures, including tax breaks and social benefits, presented by President Sarkozy after January's strike has failed to placate them.
They want him to increase the minimum wage and scrap his plans to cut public-sector jobs.
Recent polls show three-quarters of French people support the strikers.
Many commuters on Thursday said they backed the action, but hoped it would be short-lived.
"Fundamentally I agree, but too much is too much," one was quoted as saying. "There are strikes in the transport sector too often and we have to put up with them."
President Sarkozy said on Wednesday that he "understands the concerns of the French people" but has ruled out plans for further measures.
Unemployment is likely to shoot up to 10% in the next 12 months with a further 350,000 lay-offs expected by the end of this year.
Many people are angry that big companies like the oil giant Total is making staff redundant while simultaneously announcing record profits, the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby in Paris says.